Auger



T. BIRKENMAIER AUGER Nov. 13, 1928. 1,691,540

Filed Aug. 9, 1926 Patented Nov. 13, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1 i 1,691,549 PATENT omer.

THEODOBE BIRKENMAIER, OF ST. LOU-IS, SSGN'OR TO W. N. MATTHEWSCORPORA'IION7 OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OFMISSOURI.

AUGER.

Appueation mea august 9, 192s. serieu No. 128,083.

rlhis invention relates to angers, and with regard to certain morespecific features to earth angers of the type adapted to be cleared atintervals of earth, dbris and the like. f

Among the several object ofthe invention may be noted the provisionV ofan auger which is adapted to have certain members or jaws expandedforthe purpose of dislodgm ing bored out material, but which at the sametime is adapted to positively prevent said members or jaws fromloosening or eX- panding as the boring operation proceeds; an auger ofthe class describedl which holds said jaws more tightly as boringproceeds; a c e7 vice of the class described which compris-es -butrelatively few simple and rugged elements which can be readily andquickly assembled;

and a device of the class described which is simple to manipulate in itsapplications.

Other objects will be iny part obvious and in part pointed outhereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combination lofelements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which willbe exemplified in thestructure hereinafter described, and the scopeofthe application of-V which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated one of variouspossible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a left side elevation of the auger shown in locked, closed orboring position,

certain portions being broken away, and

shows in dotted lines an alternate retracted position of a lockingsleeve;

Fig. 2 is a front elevationv of Fig. 1, certain portions being brokenaway;

Fig. 3 vis a horizontal section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2 but showsthe sleeve rotated ninety degrees;`

Fig. l is a horizontal section taken on line 1 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 2; and',

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 ona reduced scale showing the lockingsleeve retracting and the jaws of the auger opened or expanded forcleaning purposes.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings. l

Referring now more particularly toFigs. 1 and 2 there is illustrated atthe numeral 1 5 5 av shank upon which are cast or otherwise formed threeradially extending lins'. A fourth fin 5, equal in depth to said ns 3 isalso provided. The fin 5 carries a longitu-V dinal leg 13 of a slot S.All' of the fins and 5 are preferably formed longitudinally of saidshank 1.

The interior of the shank 1 is bored out to receive asuitable torqueexerting member or stem 9 on the upper end of whichl is fastened a crossbar or wrench 11. The stem 9 is held in the socket of the shank 1 by asuitable fastening bolt 13, whereb torque may be applied to the shank 1`rom the cross bar or handle 11.

Below the lins 3, 5, the shank 1 is formed as a semi-circularcylindrical portion 15, the radius of which is such as to align theouter surface of the said fins 3, 5 with the outer surface of thesem-circular cylindrical portion. lThe lower yend of this semi-circularcylindrical portion 15 is formed with a matching lug 17 which functionsin a manner to be described. In one quadrant ofthe circlev whichdescribes the surface of the partial cylinder 15, there is provided anotch 16 Conforming to the shape of said lug 17. A flange 19 is providedat the Vlower end of glie portion 15,'and carries a dependent ear Theear 21 carries two lugs 23 adapted to cooperate with suitable openingsvin a sta# tionary blade 25 and thev blade 25 is yheld to the ear 21 by asuitable screwn27. The outer surfaces of the lugs 23 and the headj ofthe screw 27 are preferably made flushv with the outer surface of thelblade.y i

The inner flatsurface 29 of the semi-cylindrical or partial rcylinderportionkl'is matched by the flat inner surface of a semi? cylindricalhinging member or partial'cylinder 31. This hinging member 31. is formedto match with the portion 15 inas` much Vas it has a notch 33 adapted tocoop.- erate with the lug 17, and a lug 35 adapted to cooperate withsaid notch 16. It also 10o has a fiange 37 forming a continuation 'of isaid flange 19. The flange 37 carries a blade 26 similar to the' blade25. The fastenings for this blade are similar` to those for blade 25comprising lugs 23 and a screw 27 carried 105 on another ear 21. Themembers 15 and 31 are held together inv a relatively hinging manner by ahinge bolt 39, the head and' nut of which are properly countersunk inthe surfaces of the saidfmembe'rs 1,5 and 3.1. 110

may be seen from the above that the members and 31 form a matchedcylinder C having a lower flange F, that is, in their mately 90 degrees.

vthe cylinder C (see Fig. 2). Vin which the sleeve locks the blades isposiengages the shallow portion of the slot.

ing position.

closed position. A cylindrical band of material 41 is formed on theportion 15 just under the shank 1. This band has an outer surface iushwith the surfaces of the fins 3, 5, and with said cylinder C.

A tortuous bayonet slotor guide means S is provided in the lin 5 and theband 41. The vertical leg 43 of this slot S is formed in said fin 5, andthe horizontal circular portion 45 thereof is formed in the band or belt41. This horizontal circular portion comprises a full-depth slot overlan arc of 180 degrees (Fig. 3) and thereafter becomes graduallyshallower over an arc of approxi- The complete length of the leg45 ofthe slot S comprises substantially three quarters of a circle.

Slidably fitted over the fins 3, 5, and the continuing cylinder C, is alocking sleeve 47 which has formed therewith an inwardly projecting lug49 adapted to slidably engage the bayonet slot or guide means SAthroughout the length of said slot. 'The sleeve 47.

preferably comprises a malleable casting, which when vcast has had thelug 49 eX- tending longitudinally, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig.Q. By means offthis method of manufacture the sleeve 47 may be slippedover the fins 3, 5, and cylinder C, the lug 49 aligned with the leg 43of the slot S, and the lug 49 giving a blow so as to turn it inwardlyinto said slot (see Figs. 2 and 3). The relative lengths of the fins 3,

- 5, the cylinder C, and the sleeve 47 are such that the cylinder 47 maybe slipped upwardly along the said fins 3, 5, to entirely clear thehinged cylindrical portion C or may be slipped downwardly to entirelyand snugly jacket said cylindrical portion C. When the sleeve ispositioned downwardly it rests on the fiange F. It is evident from theabove that when the sleeve is in its upward retracted position, that`the blades and 26 may be relatively Vmoved or hinged as shown in Fig. 6.When the sleeve 47 is put into its downward locking position, then theblades 25, 26 must be in their closed position and are positively heldin said positionby the action of the sleeve 47 engaging The manner tive.

Another feature of the operation of this invention is that when thesleeve 47 is put into-its lower locking position, then the sleeve may beturned so that the lug 49 travels around in the leg of the -slot S. Thesleeve may be turned until said lug) 57 this means the sleeve is wedgedinto-lock Furthermore, the leg 45 of `the slot S is cut in such adirection that the blades cannot accidentally come loose as boringproceeds. Another feature of the sleeve 47 is that the hinging elementsbetween the blade are protected from dirt, debris and the like duringthe boring operation. The shallow portion of the slot S is positionedoppositely to the main mass of the hinging element 31 so that 4whenthelug 49 rides in said portion then the sleeve 47 is drawn so as to pushthe element 31 up against the element 15, regardless of wear. Tightblades are thus always assured while boring proceeds. Y p

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate how the cutting ends 51 of the blades are made,and how they are given a set in order that the upper portions of theauger will not jam into the hole being bored.

In order to bore a hole an operator needs merely close the blades 25,26, slip the locking sleeve down over the cylindrical portions C, turnsaid sleeve 47 counterclockwise, and proceed with jthe boring oper-1ation. lVhen the blades are lilled `with earth or the like the auger iswithdrawn, the sleeve 47 turned clockwise and retracted upwardly,whereupon the blades automatically move apart as gravity forces outl theearth or the blades may be pulled apart.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be madein carrying out the above constructionswithout departing` from the scope of the invention, it is intendedthatall matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccoinsleeve ada ated to slide over said hinein-frV portions to locksaid blades in closed position and adapted to slide therefrom., slottedY guide means shaped to guidesaidsl'eeve inv aV predetermined movement,and a lug on said sleeve adapted to slidably engage said slotted guidemeans. l Y

3. An auger comprising blade members,

Lian

means for relatively hinging said blade members, a sleeve adapted toslide over the hinging means, said sleeve being adapted to hold saidblade members in a predetermined position, guide means, and a lug on thesleeve adapted to slidably engage said guide means, said guide meanshaving a restricted portion for engaging the lug to force said sleeve totightly hold the blade members.

el. An auger comprising blade members, means for relatively hinging saidmembers, a sleeve adapted to slide over said hinging means and therebyto hold said blades in a predeterminedposition, guide means having oneleg thereof formed circularly with respect to the hinging means, and alug on said sleeve adapted'to engage the guide means such 'that when thelug is at the said circular portionthe said blade members are held insaid predetermined position.

5. An auger comprising blade members, means for relatively hinging saidmembers, a sleeve adapted to slide over said hinging means and'therebyto hold said blades in a Vpredetermined position, guide means having oneleg thereof formed circularly with -respect to the hinging means, a lugon said sleeve adapted to engage the guide means such that when the lugis at the said circular portion the said blade members are held in saidpredetermined position, and a shallow portion in the circular portion ofsaid guide means adapted to be engaged by the lug to wedge the sleeve.

6. An auger comprising blade members, means for relatively hinging saidmembers, a sleeve adapted to slide over thehinging means and adapted torotate with respect thereto, said sleeve being adaptedto hold said blademembers in a predetermined position when surrounding the hinging means,a bayonet guide means formed in said hinging means having a longitudinaland a circular element, and a' lug on the sleeve adapted to engage saidguide means whereby the sleeve is adapted to be slipped from the hingingmeans when the lug is' in the longitudinal element of the guide meansand to be locked over the hinging means when the lug is turned into thecircular element of the guide means.

7. An auger comprising blade members, means for relatively hingingl saidmembers, a sleeve adapted to slide over the hinging means and adapted torotate with respect thereto, said sleeve being adapted tohold said blademembers in a predetermined position when surrounding the 'hinging means,a bayonet guide means formed in said hinging means having a longitudinaland a circular element, a lug on the sleeve adapted to engage said gu1demeans whereby the sleeve is adapted to be slipped from the hinging meanswhen the lug is in the longitudinal element of the guide means and to belocked over the hinging means when the lug is turned into the circularelement of the guide means, and a shallow portion in the circularelement of the guide means adapted to be engaged by said lug, wherebythe sleeve is wedged against the hinging portion,

8. An auger comprising blade members, means for relatively hinging saidmembers, a sleeve adapted to slide over the hinging means and adapted torotate with respect thereto, said sleeve being adapted to hold saidblade members in a predetermined position when surrounding the hingingmeans, a bayonet guide means formed in said hinging means, a lug on thesleeve adapted to engage the guide means, said slot being adapted topermit longitudinal movement of the sleeve on and off of the hingingmeans and to permit rotatable movement of the sleeve on said hingingmeans, whereby longitudinal movement of the sleeve is prevented.

v9. An auger comprising blade members, means for relatively hinging saidmembers, a sleeve adapted to slide over the hinging means and adapted torotate with respect thereto, said sleeve being adapted to hold saidblade members in a predetermined position when surrounding the hingingmeans, a bayonet guide means formed in said hinging means, a lug on thesleeve adapted to engage the guide means, said guide means being adaptedto permit l-ongitudinal movement of the sleeve on and off of the hingingmeans and to permit rotatable movement of the sleeve on said hingingmeans, whereby longitudinal movement of the sleeve is prevented, saidguide means having a shallow reduced portion therein adapted to beengaged by' said lug whereby the sleeve vis wedged against the hingingmeans.

10. An auger comprising-relatively hinged blade members cylindrioallyformed at the hinging portion therebetween, a locking sleeve adapted toslide over said hinge portions to lock said blades in closed position,and to slide therefrom, a tortuous guide means formed in one of themembers and a lug on said sleeveadapted to slidably engage said guidemeans. f

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this speciiication this6th day of August, 1926 A THEODORE BIRKENMAIER.

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